Rob Fenwick is an experienced businessman and company director with interests closely aligned to promoting sustainable development. He has had a long association with Antarctica: for nine years until 2007 he was a director and later chairman of Landcare Research, one of several CRIs involved in Antarctic research, and is a former chairman of the Antarctic Heritage Trust. In 2005 the New Zealand Geographic Society named the Fenwick Ice Piedmont in the Ross Sea for his work in Antarctica.

He is a co-founder and director of Living Earth Ltd, New Zealand’s principal organic waste management business and is active in policy development around waste minimisation and climate change, and has been a member of several Government working groups in these areas. He is a special advisor to the Department of Conservation and was conferred with the degree of Doctor of Natural Resources, honoris causa, by Lincoln University this year.

The institute’s director will be Professor Gary Wilson of Otago University, who said the goal was to strengthen Antarctic research capacity in New Zealand through international collaboration on research projects.

“Antarctica and the Southern Ocean hold the solutions to many of the key questions scientists and policymakers need to answer in order to manage the threats of climate change and global resource depletion.”

Why is the private sector involved in a joint public and private venture with the newly formed Antarctic Research Institute? PPPs are usually formed where there is the potential for profit by the private investor.

Or is it that Gareth Morgan has a point when he sez on his blog,

Taking care of Antarctica requires a constant diplomatic effort. John Key’s visit may look like the usual smile and wave routine, but the symbolism is much stronger. His presence is simultaneously reasserting our claim, bolstering our position at the negotiation table, and recognising the wonderful contribution the Scott Base installation has made for so long. Declaring to the world that Antarctica is important to us and we want it managed well is central to Mr Key’s visit. New Zealand has a long history of leadership in Antarctica.

he’s getting a kick-bck from some where, he is jst a ^%#&%^$^# a.hole at times and its about time the truth come out and where the money is coming from. how much are they still borrowing a wk 2 pay 4 chch rebuild, several million gone missing there l reckon.

what about all the nzhc houses that got painted and didnt need a fall job done, although those that need doing dont get done, logic? waste of money and now lm going 2 make them clean there mess up after them.

My thoughts totally! Surely the health care of my daughter and others inflicted with the same condition that is life threatening should be of more prominent issue that taking his “minders” down to the South Pole.

“He also is active as an investor and developer in New Zealand, where he spends some of his time. His family owns three lodges: Kauri Cliffs Lodge near Kerikeri in Northland; Matakauri Lodge Queenstown; and The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, Hawkes Bay, as well as several wineries. Robertson was made an Honorary Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to business and philanthropy in the New Year Honours announced on 31 December 2009.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julian_Robertson

On a Radio New Zealand report yesterday Dear Leader when asked why he needed to take a bodyguard to the South Pole answered ‘you never know where an assassin might strike’ Dear Leader meet Mr Bond….http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDDjxa7RsKg

In the meantime our prime minister is spending up a storm on frivilous trips to the Antarctica, and funding private- public- partnership research projects (outsourced privatisation of knowledge) to the tune of $26million. More than what some iwi got in Treaty settlements. While people are begging for to the Ministry of Health to have the treatment and medicines they need. Pure Fn glutoney.

Antarctica is probably rich in mineral resources. Based on the geology and what we know about South America, Australia and Africa, Antarctica is believed to have cobalt, chromium, nickel, vanadium, copper, iron and platinum as well as oil. With the ice receding due to climate change it may become easier to prospect. These moves may be the opening gambit to massage public opinion in favour of drilling and mining.